The Dark Sorcerer
By Rapndash.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Ronin Warriors or any of its characters. Only Sapheem, Riona, and Riona’s pets are mine. This chapter will give more background info into Riona’s past—and hint at some romance in my sequels. Enjoy Chapter 4!
Chapter 4: New Ally?
Rowen slowly began to come to as Sapheem’s sleeping spell finally wore off. He opened his eyes and began to look around at his surroundings. The room he was in was dark and damp. Stone walls and iron bars surrounded him on all sides. Rowen shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and tried to move. However, he discovered very quickly that he couldn’t. Rowen looked up and saw that his arms were chained securely to the ceiling with no room to slip free. His ankles were also chained to the floor, preventing much movement.
Great. This is just what I need. Rowen thought to himself.
He was obviously in some kind of dungeon, the prisoner of some new enemy. How could he have allowed himself to get captured so easily? Rowen’s temper flared, and he tugged violently at the chain he was hanging from. After a few moments, he gave up. The chains wouldn’t give that easily. Some warrior he was. Rowen could defeat the Dynasty with little trouble, but he couldn’t escape this lousy dungeon.
“Finally awake, are we?” a voice greeted him.
Rowen looked toward the doorway as Sapheem entered, smiling wickedly. Riona followed closely behind with Sharpeyes sitting on her shoulder. Rowen’s eyes narrowed angrily. He remembered that man now. This was the man who had sent the shadowcat to attack him—and the one who had cast the sleeping spell on him.
“So…you must be the one who sent those soldiers to attack us,” Rowen said.
Sapheem’s smile widened. “Very good, Rowen of the Strata. You’re as sharp as Riona said you were. It’s a shame that a man with your high intelligence couldn’t figure out my plot soon enough to prevent your current ‘condition’.”
Rowen growled angrily. “Who are you? And why have you captured me?” he demanded.
Sapheem bowed in mock respect. “My name is Sapheem, and I am a sorcerer of tremendous power.” He pointed to Riona, who was still by the door. “This is my apprentice, Riona. She helped me analyze you and your friends during your first battle with my Dark Soldiers. As for why I captured you,” he paused and laughed, “I plan to conquer your world as I have all ready taken over this one.”
“This one?” Rowen asked, confused. “What do you mean ‘this one’?”
Sapheem laughed again. “Of course you wouldn’t understand, seeing as how you were unconscious when I brought you here. You see, my friend, we are now in an alternate dimension, separate from Earth—and far out of reach of your friends, so don’t count on them rescuing you. Don’t worry, though. You’ll see them again soon enough—once I’ve defeated them and taken their armors. With the power of the five Ronin Armors, I’ll conquer Earth and have more power than ever before!”
“Leave my friends out of this!” Rowen yelled back. “You’ll never defeat them! Don’t underestimate our power!”
Sapheem scowled at him. “Actually, Rowen, it is you who have underestimated me! I have the training and experience of hundreds of years! I was a powerful mage long before you were even born! Earth shall soon fall under my control…and you are going to help me realize my ambitions!”
“Never! You’ll never turn me against my friends!”
“Oh, but I don’t have to,” Sapheem explained. “You are going to help me all right…by giving me your armor! All I have to do is channel my powers through your mind and body, and then I’ll be able to use your armor to defeat your friends. You will be your own friends destruction!”
“What do you mean by that?” Rowen asked.
“You’ll see soon enough. But first, I need my friend to help me. I’m sure you remember him from last time.”
Sapheem raised his hands high above his head and began chanting a dark spell. Within moments, the shadowcat had formed beside him. It glared at Rowen with the same dead eyes.
Rowen’s eyes widened in horror. He remembered the creature all right. Why was he so afraid of it before? Rowen had seen some of the most horrible creatures while fighting the Dynasty…but none of them sent such chills through him as this shadowcat.
“Just how is that thing supposed to help you get my armor? What is it anyway?” Rowen asked.
“This creation of mine is called a ‘shadowcat’. It is made from pure darkness and evil, and it obeys only my commands. It’s roar causes instant terror in the hearts of those who hear it—except for me of course.”
So that is why I was so afraid of that thing when it attacked me, Rowen thought to himself.
“It will help me gain control of your mind more easily. Someone of your high intelligence would be difficult to control, but when fear fills your mind, nothing else will matter, and my spell will overcome you. It will link our minds and bodies and give me full access to your armor. This spell can only be removed by a counter-spell, which I have no intention of casting—at least until you are no longer useful to me. So long as we are linked, your friends will not be able to harm me…for if they destroy me, they destroy you as well!”
“Do you actually believe my friends will just give up?” Rowen taunted him. “They would never let you take over Earth…not as long as they still stood a chance of defeating you! They will never surrender!”
Sapheem laughed at him. “You know as well as I do that your friends would never risk your safety…not even to stop me and save their world! Once they realize that you and I are connected, they will not risk an attack for fear of your life! Then I will destroy them! Once your friends are gone, I’ll take their armors and you will all be my slaves…along will your precious world!”
Sapheem closed his eyes and began chanting another powerful spell. Rowen struggled against his bonds, but to no avail. His gaze fell on the beautiful young woman watching him from the door. The hawk on her shoulder was also watching him intently. Rowen was struck by the girl’s beauty. She seemed so different from Sapheem. Her eyes were warm and friendly, and Rowen almost thought he saw a look of pity on her face. He also noted that her robes were the same color as his armor. (AN: Hint, hint!)
How does such a beautiful young woman end up the apprentice of this monster? Rowen wondered.
He had no time to ponder this thought further, though. Sapheem finished his spell and a strange blue aura began to form around him. The aura warped and swiftly moved to surround Rowen. Rowen cried out as a brief jolt of pain swept through his body. Rowen could all ready feel the spell beginning to slowly take over his mind.
“No…I…won’t…give…in!” he spat out defiantly, but Sapheem’s grin only broadened.
“It would be much easier on you if you just gave in. All you’re doing is delaying the inevitable. Why don’t you stop fighting it? My powers are too much for you.”
“Never!” Rowen returned. Sweat formed on his brow as he struggled to remain in control. “You…won’t take me…without…a fight!”
“So I see,” Sapheem mused. “Then I’ll have to speed things along. As much as I enjoy watching you suffer, I have no time to waste in simple pleasures. What do you say, my pet? Kindly help my spell along.”
The shadowcat roared at Rowen again, and terror once again filled his mind. A part of him still struggled against Sapheem’s spell, but Rowen felt himself growing weaker every second. He closed his eyes as Sapheem’s spell finally overcame him. A single tear fell down his cheek as Sapheem’s power consumed him.
Too weak to fight, Rowen lost consciousness once more. His body, like Sapheem’s, now glowed a bright blue. Their bodies and minds were linked, giving Sapheem full access to Rowen’s thoughts. He would use the mind link to find the weakness of the other Ronin Warriors. Sapheem turned and walked out of the dungeon, the shadowcat following right behind.
Riona stood motionless as they passed her. She continued to study the now unconscious Rowen carefully. A feeling of guilt filled her heart. Riona hated for Rowen to suffer like this, but the time wasn’t right to complete her plans. Perhaps his friends would help her. She felt really sorry for Rowen. She knew his friends would be worried about him. Riona made up her mind and turned to leave. She glanced back at Rowen on last time.
He’s pretty strong to resist Sapheem for so long, she thought to herself. He’s really cute, too.
Riona shook her head in disgust. How could she think like that? She had more important matters to attend to. Riona turned away and sauntered out of the dungeon. It was time to start with her long thought-out plans. Sapheem would be too distracted by his newfound powers to pay much attention to her movements. She would not be missed for very long…
Back on Earth, the remaining Ronin Warriors sat quietly in the living room. It had been at least two days since Sapheem had kidnapped Rowen, and there had been no sign of the mage since then. The last thought bothered them. What could Sapheem be planning now? Their thoughts turned to Rowen.
“Man,” Ryo said, finally breaking the silence. “I just wish there was someway to reach him. Who knows what that creep Sapheem could be doing to him. It’s been way too long since we last heard from him.”
Whiteblaze licked his master’s hand in a comforting manner, and Ryo scratched the tiger’s head.
“Maybe we could use the mind link to contact Rowen,” Cye suggested. “It’s worked in the past, why not now?”
“I all ready tried, Cye,” Sage told him. “It’s no use. I can’t even sense him any more. That Sapheem said he was from another dimension. It could be that Rowen’s too far away for us to reach him. We need to come up with a better plan.”
“This stinks!” Kento yelled. “Rowen’s bein’ held prisoner by some wacko sorcerer, and there’s nothing we can do about it! He could be gettin’ tortured right now while we’re sittin’ around trying to find him!”
“Calm down, Kento,” Ryo admonished. “We’re all upset about this, but getting yourself worked up won’t help.” Ryo sighed deeply and looked up at the ceiling. “If we only had some kind of a break.”
Suddenly, a bright flash of light filled the room, forcing the Ronin Warriors and Whiteblaze to look away. After a few moments, the light faded. The boys blinked as their eyes refocused to the light change. A figure stepped forward and addressed them.
“Greetings, Ronin Warriors. We finally meet face to face.”
The boys were amazed to see Riona standing before them. They all jumped up, ready to fight. Whiteblaze growled defensively, also wary of the intruder. Ryo calmed him and turned to the young woman.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” he asked her.
Riona bowed politely. “My name is Riona. Please forgive my sudden appearance, but I had to see you. I am the apprentice of Sapheem, but do not fear. I am not your enemy.”
“Sapheem’s apprentice, huh?” Sage asked suspiciously. “Why should we trust you? Did your master send you to attack us?”
Riona scoffed at the thought. “Master…please! I like him no more than you do. He has no idea I am here. Please believe me. I came here because I need your help.”
“What do you mean by that?” Cye asked her. “And why do you need our help?”
“It is a long story, but all will become clear to you soon. Just give me a chance to explain myself,” Riona pleaded with them.
Ryo was still skeptical, but he sensed that there was something different about this young woman. If she could help them save Rowen and defeat Sapheem, then perhaps they should listen to her. Perhaps this was the break they needed. He nodded. “All right, Riona. Tell us your story.”
Riona smiled gratefully and sat down opposite him. “Like Sapheem, I am from a different dimension. I have been in his service for most of my life. It began many years ago, when I was just a small child. Sapheem was an outcast in our land who had ambitions of ruling our world. The king banished him to a faraway island, hoping to be rid of him forever. Unfortunately, Sapheem returned welding powerful magic and bringing hundreds of Dark Soldiers into the fight. Our king was defeated and executed before our eyes, and Sapheem has ruled supreme for decades. My people are suffering horribly at his hands.”
She paused and looked down sadly. “My parents…they were killed in the onslaught while trying to defend themselves. I managed to hide from the soldiers and survive. After watching them die…I swore I would get revenge on Sapheem and save my people. He has taken away everyone closest to me. If it weren’t for my pets, I would be totally alone.”
“You have pets?” Kento asked.
Riona looked up and smiled a little and waved her arm in the air. There was a screech, and Sharpeyes landed on Riona’s shoulder. It turned to the stunned men and screeched a greeting.
“This is Sharpeyes, my hawk. He acts as my familiar since Sapheem despises animals. He tolerates Sharpeyes so long as he stays out of the way. My other pet, Nightshade is not so welcomed though. I have to keep him hidden.”
A low growl put the boys on the defensive again. They watched warily as the large black wolf stepped forward to sit beside his master. Whiteblaze growled at the wolf, and Nightshade growled back—concerned about Riona’s safety. Ryo and Riona quickly calmed the two animals, and Riona continued her story.
“I have always loved magic. I had hoped to be a great sorceress someday. I already knew some simple spells when Sapheem took over our world. I’m not really sure how it happened, but somehow Sapheem learned of my talent in magic. He offered to train me in the dark arts and give me a seat of power beside him. As long as I served him faithfully, he would allow me freedom and power second only to himself. I pondered his offer for a while. I was anxious to learn as much magic as I could. Sapheem had forbidden anyone to use magic except for himself for fear that one might become more powerful and defeat him. I remembered my vow of revenge, and I saw this as an opportunity to defeat him once and for all. I pretended to swear allegiance to Sapheem, and I have been training under him ever since. I am already close to being as powerful as he is, but I need help. My people have suffered horribly for decades, and I fear they will not hold out much longer. I can afford to waste no more time. If we do not stop him now, then Earth will suffer the same fate as my world. I beg you to help me save both worlds from Sapheem’s evil powers…please!”
The Ronins thought about Riona’s story. They could see that she was sincere about her intentions. They knew they had to stop Sapheem from conquering Earth, but…
“What about Rowen?” Sage asked her. “Why does Sapheem want Rowen?”
Riona sighed, her guilt returning. “I’m afraid that Rowen is not doing so well. Sapheem has…he cast a spell that allows him to channel magic through Rowen’s mind and body to increase his own. I…I don’t think Rowen is strong enough to fight it any more. I’m afraid it won’t be easy for you to defeat Sapheem.”
“Why is that, Riona?” Ryo asked her. “What is Sapheem planning?”
“Well,” Riona hesitated, but they deserved to know the truth. “I’m afraid it isn’t good, Ronin Warriors. Now that Sapheem and Rowen are linked…Sapheem will be able to use Rowen’s armor. I don’t just mean the armor’s power either.”
The others gasped. “Do you mean Sapheem is able to wear Rowen’s armor?” Cye asked.
“Precisely,” Riona answered. “And that’s not the worst part.”
“What could be worse than that?” Kento asked her.
“I’ll tell you what’s worse,” Riona explained seriously. “You won’t be able to destroy Sapheem. Because if you do…you’ll kill Rowen, too. He will even be able to feel it if you hurt Sapheem.”
The Ronin Warriors were horrified. “Are you sure about this, Riona?” Ryo asked.
“Positive,” Riona confirmed. “I was there when Sapheem cast the spell. He said it himself. But please don’t worry. I’m working on a way to help him.”
“How?”
Riona smiled slyly. “Sapheem doesn’t know it, but I found his secret room with his most powerful spell books in it. I found the counter spell yesterday, and I’ve already begun to memorize it. But we have to be careful. I can’t risk casting the spell while Sapheem is still inside his castle…or it will be the end of Rowen and me as well. Sapheem is planning another attack right now. He’s still practicing with his new powers, so be on your guard. I’ll send Sharpeyes with a message when I know precisely when he plans to attack.”
“All right, Riona. We’ll leave Rowen’s safety in your hands,” Sage told her. “But what do you want us to do?”
“First of all, you must not let Sapheem know about my plans. I can’t afford for him to find out too soon. Second, you must do your best to hold him off…even if it means fighting him and causing Rowen some pain. Above all, you must never surrender. Just keep Sapheem distracted, and leave the rest to me. I’ll return with Rowen as soon as I can.” Riona stood. “I must leave you for now. If I am gone for too long, Sapheem may grow suspicious. I’ll contact you again soon. Until next time, Ronin Warriors.”
Riona chanted a simple spell, then she, Nightshade, and Sharpeyes all disappeared. The Ronin Warriors were left alone to ponder her words. They still weren’t sure if they could trust what Riona had told them.
“Do you think we can trust her, Ryo?” Kento asked.
“We don’t have much choice right now, Kento. I could tell that she was being honest with us,” Ryo told him.
“Do you think that Sapheem can really use Rowen’s armor like she said?” Cye wondered.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Sage said. “Right now, we need to prepare for the worst. I’m sure she meant it when she said the Sapheem would return again. He said so himself. We should be ready.”
They all nodded in agreement. They would all have to train harder than ever if they were to succeed in the next battle. Riona’s words still haunted their thoughts. If Rowen and Sapheem were really linked, they would have to take great care during the battle. They could only hope that Riona would be true to her words and rescue their friend.
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